Victim of alleged homophobic attack on Toronto Island reacts to arrest
The victim of an alleged homophobic attack on Toronto Island earlier this month says he is “somewhat comforted” by the arrest of a man in connection with the violent incident.
“Given the circumstances surrounding the incident, I have no question I was a target because I am a gay man. This attack was a hate crime, not just against me but against all 2SLGBTQ+ people,” David Gomez said in a statement released by his lawyers Monday.
“I will continue to co-operate with the police investigation and want the individuals responsible for this assault to be held accountable.”
On Saturday, Toronto Police Services announced the arrest of Elijah McGibbon and charged him with aggravated assault following the June 5 altercation at Hanlan’s Point, which left Gomez with serious injuries to his lower back and also required him to undergo surgery to repair his face.
In the moments leading up to the attack, police allege that Gomez and an unidentified 27-year-old woman were walking to the ferry docks when they became involved in a disagreement with a group of people. A man from the group made homophobic comments towards the victims and a woman grabbed one of the victims, investigators said.
Two men from the group then allegedly assaulted Gomez by punching and kicking him.
In the days that followed, accusations surfaced online linking Ottawa Redblacks defensive lineman Chris Larsen to the attack. Although he has not been identified as a suspect by police, the CFL player was subsequently suspended from his team following the incident. As of last week, the team said that there had been no official change to Larsen’s status.
Speaking to CTV News Toronto on Wednesday, Larsen and his lawyer, Calvin Barry, denied the allegations claiming that he was “at most” a witness to the event.
Following McGibbon’s arrest Saturday, Toronto police Det. -Const. Lauren Hassard underscored that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“This is a complex case and we still encourage witnesses to come forward,” she said in a news release.
“In particular, we want to speak to two women who we believe were in the area at the time and are described as white, in their 20s and with brown hair.”
McGibbon is set to appear at a Toronto courtroom on July 26.
Toronto police’s hate crime unit is supporting the investigation.
Meanwhile, Gomez says that during Pride Month, “we cannot lose sight of the fact that systemic discrimination still emboldens individuals to perpetrate hate crimes against our community.”
“We cannot abandon the resistance and defiance of those early Pride celebrations, but must understand that, as far as we’ve come, the work of resistance and defiance is not yet done.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.